MC@Play: Marie Claire Does Coachella

Greetings from the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs! Our Associate Accessories Editor Bryn Poulos traveled to the desert with Topshop — the brand is preparing to open its first location in Los Angeles. Doesn't this pool look so inviting?

One of the stages got a major upgrade this year: The Sahara tent, which is home to most of the festival's electronic acts, grew to an 80-foot tall enclosed structure that could house thousands of dancing fans.

H&M's relaxing houseparty was a welcome respite from the desert heat. We're not the only ones who thought so — Diane Kruger, Joshua Jackson, Sophia Bush, and Julianne Hough also swung by!

We even caught Alexa Chung taking a break from her DJ duties and getting in on the gator races in the pool — who doesn't love a bit of competition?

One of the most exciting sets we caught during Coachella was that of Major Lazer, who drew such a large crowd that fans were spilling out of the Mojave tent on all sides. Their reggae and hip-hop sounds were perfect for setting the party atmosphere, and the group — led by DJ and producer Diplo — just released a new album this week, entitled "Free The Universe."

Our last stop on the Coachella party circuit was the annual Armani Exchange Neon Carnival. It was a little tricky to get to from the festival, but totally worth the trouble. We bumped into some of our favorite celebrities (hello, Leonardo DiCaprio), took a ride on a brilliantly lit ferris wheel and giant slide, and danced the night away to the sounds of DJ Jesse Marco.

There are lots of things we'll miss about Coachella until we return next year, not least of which being the breathtaking Palm Springs sunsets over the polo fields. If you're traveling to the festival for weekend two, we know you're going to have a blast — and we officially envy you.